The Lions bring back eight starters and a total of 17 returning players to its squad that went 6-11 last season.

Highlighting the list of returners are the trio of Skudalski, Freibott and Katie Ruesterholz, who all earned All-Ivy League honors last season.

Skudalski was among the nation’s leaders with nine defensive saves and will anchor the back line for Columbia. Freibott emerged as an NFHCA All-Region player after posting five goals and six assists from the midfield position. Ruesterholz set a program record for goals by a first-year in 2013 after finding the back of the net 10 times.